Monthly Archives: February 2012

Early Friday morning, a 26-year-old woman was sexually assaulted and robbed at knifepoint while she was riding on a Chicago CTA Red Line train.

The incident occurred at 4:55 a.m. on the Red Line train, which was heading southbound between Roosevelt Road and 79th Street, according to a community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department.

No other passengers were in the train car at the time of the sexual assault and robbery. The assailant got off the train at the 87th Street station.

The victim was not injured during the attack.

According to the alert, the suspect is described as a black man, 20-25 years old, with a slim build, dark complexion, and no facial hair. His clothing was black, and he was wearing a black-hooded jacket. The knife he wielded was black with a long blade.

Those with information are asked to call detectives at (312) 747-8380 or send tips to AREA1TIP@chicagopolice.org.

A former track coach from the East St. Louis High School, in East St. Louis, Illinois, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a boy, according to police. He was charged on Saturday with two counts of criminal sexual abuse, according to the police chief of East St. Louis, Michael Floore.

The former coach charged is Earlest Johnson, 33, of East St. Louis, Illinois.

Police said Johnson, formerly an assistant high school track coach, was no longer employed at the school but still volunteered at some sporting events this school year. He had sexual contact at least twice with a 15-year-old boy, Floore said. The alleged abuse was reported to police at the end of January.

The abuse allegedly occurred at Johnson’s home on two occasions and not on school property, Floore said.

According to Floore, Earlest was not yet in custody as of Monday; he may have fled to the Chicago area. Floore also said police expect to be able to arrest him this week.

Today, police issued a community alert concerning the attempted kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl on Chicago’s South Side.

The attempted child abduction happened on February 9, at approximately 3:00 p.m. According to police, while the 11-year-old girl was walking on the 6000 block of South Lawndale Avenue, a man approached her and grabbed her by the arm. The girl was able to break free and she then told her parents.

The assailant was described as a Hispanic male aged 40 to 50, and about 5’8″ tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds. He has graying/white hair and was wearing a long dark-colored raincoat.

Those with information concerning the incident are asked to contact the Wentworth Area detectives division at (312) 747-8380.

Jeff Dosier, superintendent of the Belleville School District 201, said his office received an anonymous letter about two weeks ago making an allegation against Endsley. Dosier said the district then contacted police.

Police talked to the alleged victim, now 18, and she told them about the sex act.

The alleged sexual contact occurred between June 1 and Aug. 31 of last year, police said. Investigators say they don’t believe any sexual contact occurred on high school property. Police believe the contact was consensual.

Under Illinois law, a person 17 years old is usually old enough to consent to sex, but can still be considered a victim of sexual assault if the accused is 17 or older and holds “a position of trust, authority or supervision in relation to the victim.”

According to Dosier, Ryan Endsley taught mathematics at the high school for 15 years until his resignation Monday.